John R. Rob Ruck

Ruck, John R. ?Rob?, 52, of Seminole, died Saturday, March 31st, 2007 at home under Hospice care. He was a St. Petersburg native and was a 1972 graduate of Dixie Hollins High School, a 1974 graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College now known as St. Petersburg College, and a 1976 graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor?s degree in accounting. He was a Controller for the past four years for Rampart Properties, and prior to that, worked for 17 years in various management capacities for the St. Petersburg Times in the areas of finance and operations. He served on the Boards of two St. Petersburg Times subsidiary corporations. He served on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of St. Petersburg from 1990 ? 1996 and held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice Chairman. He served as a volunteer representative for the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce from 1988 ? 1991. He participated in the Paint St. Petersburg Proud program. He was a member of Toastmasters from 1978 ? 1986 where he held the positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer. He was an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society where he worked with individual patients and also gave inspirational and motivational speeches to spread the word of hope in the battle against cancer. He was awarded the American Cancer Society Courage award in the southwest Florida division in 2006 and the American Cancer Society Pinellas County Courage award in 2007. He did volunteer work for Greyhound Pets of America, including educating people on what great pets Greyhounds make, and participating in numerous fund raisers. He is survived by his wife, Ellie J. Ruck of Seminole; his son, Stephen Ruck; his daughter, Valerie Ruck; his father, John F. Ruck; his sister, Laura Coffman; and 2 nieces, Janelle and Cherilyn Coffman, all of St. Petersburg.